Barry Ferguson has defended his decision to make NINE changes to the Rangers starting XI for this afternoon’s trip to face Aberdeen — with one eye firmly fixed on Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Athletic Club.
The interim boss has shuffled his pack for the Scottish Premiership clash at Pittodrie, resting several established first-team regulars and handing opportunities to fringe players as Rangers juggle domestic demands with their European ambitions.
Ferguson, who took temporary charge in February, insisted the changes were made with careful thought, as the squad prepares for one of the most important weeks of their season.
"It's obviously played apart [in team selection] because I've made nine changes," the former Ibrox captain told Rangers TV. "Some players are suffering injuries and they've not travelled. Other players are carrying knocks, so I just made the decision to change it.
"But I also look at it in a positive way because it gives guys an opportunity, who have maybe been disappointed and chapping my door asking why they have not been playing, so there's an opportunity today to go and show me that they can go and get into my starting XI."
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Eighteen-year-old Findlay Curtis makes his first senior Rangers start, and Ferguson highlighted the midfielder's attitude as a reason why he's earned this special moment.
"His attitude has impressed me. It doesn't bother about age if they show me a good attitude, which he's certainly got that," he explained.
"He's got good attributes which I think can work well for him, so I've given him the opportunity today and hopefully he can grab it with both hands.
"I think he's a future that's got a good future in front of him, and I just said to him 'go and grab it with both hands because these are the types of games you want to play in'."
